English grammar error-spotting (agreement with ‘‘a group of …’’): Read the sentence in four parts (A–D) and pick the single erroneous segment. Mind subject–verb agreement when a collective noun is the head: ‘‘A group of friends / want to visit / the new plant as early as possible. / No error.’

Given data

• Subject head: ‘‘A group’’ (collective singular)
• Of-phrase: ‘‘of friends’’ (does not control the verb)
• Verb used: ‘‘want’’ (plural)

Concept / ApproachWhen the collective noun is the head (‘‘A group …’’), formal agreement is singular unless we explicitly emphasize individual members acting separately. Therefore, use ‘‘wants’’.

Correction‘‘A group of friends wants to visit the new plant as early as possible.’’

Common pitfalls

• Letting the nearby plural noun in the of-phrase mislead agreement.

Final Answerwant to visit